$320 Million U.S. Tax Dollars Annually at Risk; Research Negligence Kills Dozens, May Invalidate Hundreds of Projects

Please call or email Dr. Francis Collins to insist that the Primate
Center Grants for University of California (Davis), Oregon Health
Sciences University, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, University of
Washington (Seattle), University of Wisconsin (Madison), Emory
University, Harvard Medical School, be withheld until these labs have
been in full compliance with federal regulations for 12 consecutive
months.

Please contact the Secretary of Agriculture and insist that
USDA/APHIS/AC’s Western and Eastern Regional Offices immediately fully
prosecute all laboratories that have been cited for non-compliances
connected to animal deaths.

$320 Million U.S. Tax Dollars Annually at Risk; Research Negligence
Kills Dozens, May Invalidate Hundreds of Projects

WASHINGTON, DC – Negligence at seven U.S. Primate Centers – recipients
of more than $320 million annually in federal funding – has now killed
at least 45 non-human primates over the last few years, squandering 1/3
of a billion dollars and putting research into human ailments at risk,
according to a research watchdog group.

Documentation recently made available reveals that seven laboratories
have been cited, fined, or are currently under investigation for killing
animals in violation of the federal Animal Welfare Act,
said SAEN (Stop Animal Exploitation Now), a watchdog nonprofit that
monitors research facilities.

“These labs are clearly incapable of basic animal care,” said Michael A.
Budkie, A.H.T., Executive Director of SAEN. “Why are labs that
continually break the law handed hundreds of millions in tax dollars to
enable them to keep breaking the law? Shouldn’t federal funding be
tied to compliance with federal regulations?”

Topping the list is University of California, Davis (California National
Primate Research Center), recently cited for 19 primate deaths, and
under investigation for the deaths of another 12 infant monkeys.
Previous revelations included a monkey strangulated in a tree,
and a primate corpse was infested with maggots.

Other Primate Center disclosures show:

The Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Southwest National
Primate Research Center) has recently been cited for multiple
primate deaths, and has just been fined over $25,000 for previous
primate deaths;

Harvard University (New England Primate Research Center}
is the center of a controversy and ongoing federal probe in the
deaths of at least four primates due to dehydration, and being
boiled alive;

The University of Wisconsin, Madison, (Wisconsin National
Primate Research Center is currently the target of an ongoing
federal investigation for dozens of federal non-compliances;

Oregon Health Sciences University (Oregon National Primate
Research Center) paid a 2012 fine of over $11,000;

Emory University (Yerkes National Primate Research Center) has
recently been cited for a negligent primate death;

University of Washington (Washington National Primate Research
Center) paid a $10,000 fine and is the target of a complaint
involving monkeys obtaining scissors, burn injuries, traumatic
injuries, etc.